David Chang Restaurants: Key Takeaways
- David Chang owns 10 restaurants worldwide, primarily located in the United States with one location in Canada.
- His flagship Momofuku Ko in New York holds 2 Michelin stars, cementing his fine dining reputation.
- Chang’s portfolio spans casual dining, fast casual, quick service, and bar concepts, with prices ranging from $10 to $200 per person.
- Recent expansion includes new market entries in Texas cities such as Dallas, Plano, and Houston from 2023 to 2025.
Chef David Chang is a highly influential figure in modern gastronomy, known for blending Asian and Western culinary traditions. With a footprint spanning 10 restaurants, Chang’s empire balances fine dining with approachable casual concepts.
This article explores exactly how many restaurants David Chang owns, details his Michelin recognition, and breaks down his diverse restaurant concepts and global locations.
David Chang Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count
David Chang currently owns 10 restaurants worldwide, predominantly in the United States with one location in Canada. His carefully curated portfolio covers a spectrum of dining styles, from Michelin-starred fine dining to casual noodle bars and quickservice concepts.
His restaurants are concentrated largely in key urban centers, including New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Toronto, with recent expansion plans targeting Texas cities such as Dallas, Plano, and Houston between 2023 and 2025.
Here is a breakdown by region along with some notable venues:
Region | Approx. Number of Restaurants | Notable Examples |
---|---|---|
United States | 9 | Momofuku Ko (New York), Momofuku Noodle Bar (New York), Momofuku Ssäm Bar, Majordōmo (Los Angeles), Momofuku Las Vegas, Bāng Bar (NY & Las Vegas), Fuku (NY & Las Vegas), Kabawa (New York) |
Canada | 1 | Momofuku Noodle Bar Toronto |
Total (Global) | 10 | (As of mid-2025) |
All restaurants under Chang’s control are fully owned enterprises, not franchises or licensed operations.
The diversity of formats—from fast casual fried chicken sandwich spots like Fuku to high-end tasting menus at Momofuku Ko—exemplifies his ability to operate across multiple dining experiences.
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Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants
Central to David Chang’s reputation is his flagship fine dining restaurant Momofuku Ko in New York City, holding 2 Michelin stars. Opened in 2008, Ko transformed Manhattan’s fine dining scene with its innovative tasting menus and an open kitchen that invites diners into the culinary process.
It remains the sole Michelin-starred venue in Chang’s portfolio but serves as a standard bearer for quality and creativity across his brands.
- Momofuku Ko (New York, USA) – 2 Michelin stars. Established 2008, renowned for its intimate setting, chef’s tasting menu, and boundary-pushing dishes blending Asian and Western influences.
While other Chang restaurants focus on casual and fast dining, Momofuku Ko represents the pinnacle of his culinary ambitions and remains a destination for food connoisseurs.
To understand the impact and prestige of Michelin stars in the restaurant industry, see our restaurant Michelin stars statistics spotlight.
Notable David Chang Restaurant Concepts and Locations
David Chang’s portfolio is distinguished by a range of unique dining concepts, from noodle-focused casual spots to experimental fine dining and innovative quick-service outlets. Below are his top concepts along with their key features and locations.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
As one of Chang’s earliest and most casual ventures, Momofuku Noodle Bar specializes in ramen and steamed buns, offering a laid-back atmosphere focused on quality and comfort. There are two locations primarily in New York City, and an additional Canadian branch in Toronto.
Price range per person is approximately $20–$40, making it an accessible option for fans of authentic Asian-inspired fast casual dining.
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Momofuku Ssäm Bar
Located in New York City, Ssäm Bar presents a casual dining experience with Korean-inspired dishes emphasizing shared plates and communal seating. It features robust flavors and an adventurous menu with a price range of $30–$50 per person.
Momofuku Ko
This fine dining flagship is known for its elaborate tasting menu served in an intimate, open kitchen setting. Located in New York City, Ko’s price range is upscale at $175–$200 per person, reflecting its Michelin-starred status and chef-driven innovation.
Momofuku Las Vegas
The Las Vegas outpost fuses American, Korean, and Japanese influences into a casual dining experience with prices ranging from $50–$80. It is situated in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, one of Chang’s notable hospitality partners.
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Majordōmo
Found in Los Angeles, Majordōmo is a casual dining restaurant focusing on California cuisine with Asian influences and large-format dishes designed for sharing. The price range is $60–$100, and it serves as a culinary bridge between fine dining and accessible hospitality.
Bāng Bar
Bāng Bar operates as a quick service, to-go concept specializing in spit-roasted meats and flatbreads. There are two locations—in New York and Las Vegas—with an affordable price range of $10–$20.
Fuku
Fuku is a fast casual concept known for its fried chicken sandwiches and streamlined menu. It has locations in New York and Las Vegas, serving quality comfort food at a modest price of around $10–$15.
Kabawa & Bar Kabawa
Kabawa in New York is a casual dining concept offering Caribbean-inspired cuisine with a set menu priced at $40–$60. Nearby, Bar Kabawa provides a daiquiri and wine bar with Caribbean-inspired small bites and snacks, with prices ranging from $15–$30.
Momofuku Noodle Bar Toronto
The Toronto location of Momofuku Noodle Bar brings Chang’s signature ramen and buns to Canada’s largest city, maintaining the casual vibe and price range ($20–$40) of its New York counterparts.
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David Chang Restaurant Empire: Conclusion
In summary, David Chang’s restaurant empire comprises roughly 10 restaurants across North America, combining a high-level Michelin-starred establishment with a variety of casual, fast casual, and quick service concepts.
His footprint is largely concentrated in major U.S. cities with a single express location in Toronto, reflecting a focused but diverse growth strategy. With Momofuku Ko’s 2 Michelin stars as a centerpiece, Chang balances culinary innovation with accessible dining experiences.
Recent expansions into Texas markets and strong partnerships, such as with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, position his brand for continued growth. Chang’s unique ability to merge global flavors with different dining formats makes his restaurant empire distinctive and widely respected.
For restaurant operators considering growth strategies and staff retention, our spotlight on strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover offers actionable insights.
Overall, David Chang’s portfolio exemplifies a modern culinary entrepreneur’s approach—melding fine dining excellence with scaled casual concepts to reach varied audiences.